Need Vmax Loads for a varminter .223

barbwire44 · January 2, 2007, 08:53 AM

I could use some load recipe's for my varminter, have been using sierra 52 grainers, but just got a deal I couldn't pass up on a bunch of 50 grain hornady v-max bullets, I am using cci 400 primers and I could use either 4895 or varget for powder, anyone have any good starting points for these combinations????? c.o.a.l.???? how many grains ???? etc....
Thanks
my sierra book doesn't show the varget in the ar section but does in the bolt action pages, and no info on OAL for the vmax's actually didn't see the vmax's in the sierra book anywhere must be a competition thing..LOL!!!

snuffy · January 2, 2007, 12:58 PM

From my own experience and what others have said, varget is best with bullets OVER 60 grains in .223. So the 4895 will be your best bet.

Seating depth is regulated by what fits in the mag. Anything longer than that is a single shot load. As for recipies, whatever you were loading with the 52 grainers would work well for the lighter 50 grain bullets. The V-max is a fine bullet for the .223. I use the 60 grainer for mine with WC-844 surplus powder,(same data as H-335).

Buckythebrewer · January 2, 2007, 01:02 PM

Run h4895.Better yet get a2015br

.Thats the best cleanist powder I have used for 55gr in my ar15..Always use start loads!!.They will function fine in an ar15 unless there is something wrong with your rifle..Then If you want more speed or whatever use a chronograph and work up your loads to the highest SAFE! level you can get to in your rifle..Watch for signs of high pressures.I personally think that start loads are more than good enough ,but Im no varmint shooter so what do I know

Know your safe start loads and never exceed loads and dont trust any of us on the forums for load data

.
I have loaded 35gr vmax in my ar15 with a2015br and the rifle functioned flawless and was very accurate(24" 1/8 twist barrel)with VERY little recoil.Talk about your fast follow up shots!!

barbwire44 · January 2, 2007, 01:14 PM

thanks, yes I am not looking to burn the barn down, just fast enough to smoke a few fox and an ocassional coyote. Can you guys tell me why the varget is reccomended for 60 grain and up bullets???? Had read that on another forum and curiosity is killing me. But you think the 4895 would be good enough?? The rifle is a bushy varminter 24" 1-9 twist.
Thanx again

RERICK · January 2, 2007, 01:34 PM

Try the 60 grain.I use 24 grains of varget with it and I have gotten good accuracy.

RERICK · January 2, 2007, 01:35 PM

Try the 60 grain.I use 24 grains of varget with it and I have gotten real good accuracy.

Buckythebrewer · January 2, 2007, 02:30 PM

Just so you know,h4895 is also best used for heavier bullets as well(like varget) but works fine for 55gr..Alot of people use varget and h4895 for 69gr-80gr loads for longer ranges..for 50gr bullets these powders are not "best" but will work..Well according to my Lee book The h4895 is top on the list,so for you I would use h4895 for sure.I have just found a2015br as very impressive for clean and accurate function in the ar15,But that could have just been impression more than anything..I now use h4895 only because I load 75-77-80gr for 600 yards.For you the h4895 will give you the FASTEST SAFE velocities.For me it meters EXCELLENT!! in my cheap lee perfect powder measure and has given me better than M.O.A(near 1/2) to at least 600 yards using 77gr smk..
Varget will work fine as well but I would go with h4895.

DOUBLE CHECK this data.

According to my LEE manual.
50 gr jacketed bullet
H4895 powder-
2.210 Min .OAL
25.0 gr start load =3182FPS
27.5 NEVER EXCEED LOAD!!=3468FPS

these velocities would be in a 24" barrel I believe.

AGAIN DOUBLE CHECK THIS DATA WITH A RELOADING MANUAL to be safe that there are no errors.

January 2, 2007, 08:53 AM	#1
barbwire44 Member Join Date: January 13, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 49	Need Vmax Loads for a varminter .223 I could use some load recipe's for my varminter, have been using sierra 52 grainers, but just got a deal I couldn't pass up on a bunch of 50 grain hornady v-max bullets, I am using cci 400 primers and I could use either 4895 or varget for powder, anyone have any good starting points for these combinations????? c.o.a.l.???? how many grains ???? etc.... Thanks my sierra book doesn't show the varget in the ar section but does in the bolt action pages, and no info on OAL for the vmax's actually didn't see the vmax's in the sierra book anywhere must be a competition thing..LOL!!!

January 2, 2007, 12:58 PM	#2
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	From my own experience and what others have said, varget is best with bullets OVER 60 grains in .223. So the 4895 will be your best bet. Seating depth is regulated by what fits in the mag. Anything longer than that is a single shot load. As for recipies, whatever you were loading with the 52 grainers would work well for the lighter 50 grain bullets. The V-max is a fine bullet for the .223. I use the 60 grainer for mine with WC-844 surplus powder,(same data as H-335). __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

January 2, 2007, 01:02 PM	#3
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	Run h4895.Better yet get a2015br.Thats the best cleanist powder I have used for 55gr in my ar15..Always use start loads!!.They will function fine in an ar15 unless there is something wrong with your rifle..Then If you want more speed or whatever use a chronograph and work up your loads to the highest SAFE! level you can get to in your rifle..Watch for signs of high pressures.I personally think that start loads are more than good enough ,but Im no varmint shooter so what do I know Know your safe start loads and never exceed loads and dont trust any of us on the forums for load data. I have loaded 35gr vmax in my ar15 with a2015br and the rifle functioned flawless and was very accurate(24" 1/8 twist barrel)with VERY little recoil.Talk about your fast follow up shots!!

January 2, 2007, 01:34 PM	#5
RERICK Junior member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Posts: 369	60 grain v max Try the 60 grain.I use 24 grains of varget with it and I have gotten good accuracy.

January 2, 2007, 01:35 PM	#6
RERICK Junior member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Posts: 369	60 grain v max Try the 60 grain.I use 24 grains of varget with it and I have gotten real good accuracy.

January 2, 2007, 01:14 PM	#4
barbwire44 Member Join Date: January 13, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 49	thanks, yes I am not looking to burn the barn down, just fast enough to smoke a few fox and an ocassional coyote. Can you guys tell me why the varget is reccomended for 60 grain and up bullets???? Had read that on another forum and curiosity is killing me. But you think the 4895 would be good enough?? The rifle is a bushy varminter 24" 1-9 twist. Thanx again

January 2, 2007, 02:30 PM	#7
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	Just so you know,h4895 is also best used for heavier bullets as well(like varget) but works fine for 55gr..Alot of people use varget and h4895 for 69gr-80gr loads for longer ranges..for 50gr bullets these powders are not "best" but will work..Well according to my Lee book The h4895 is top on the list,so for you I would use h4895 for sure.I have just found a2015br as very impressive for clean and accurate function in the ar15,But that could have just been impression more than anything..I now use h4895 only because I load 75-77-80gr for 600 yards.For you the h4895 will give you the FASTEST SAFE velocities.For me it meters EXCELLENT!! in my cheap lee perfect powder measure and has given me better than M.O.A(near 1/2) to at least 600 yards using 77gr smk.. Varget will work fine as well but I would go with h4895. DOUBLE CHECK this data. According to my LEE manual. 50 gr jacketed bullet H4895 powder- 2.210 Min .OAL 25.0 gr start load =3182FPS 27.5 NEVER EXCEED LOAD!!=3468FPS these velocities would be in a 24" barrel I believe. AGAIN DOUBLE CHECK THIS DATA WITH A RELOADING MANUAL to be safe that there are no errors. Last edited by Buckythebrewer; January 2, 2007 at 04:50 PM.